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22 emotions you’ve never ever heard of

We’ve become familiar with emojis as a default for emotions which defy all description – but now one psychologist is getting specific...

February 27, 2018 | ALEX HARRIS

Word to the wise: life is about so much more than the pursuit of happiness.

In fact, as emotions go, ‘happy’ is a pretty nebulous one. It’s a broad stroke when what you actually seek is an individual strand of happiness – something closer to contentment, awe or excitement.

Psychologists say homing in on these specific emotions is important.

‘There are studies on the value of developing “emotional granularity”, in which people can be taught to identify and label their feelings with greater specificity and nuance,’ says positive psychology lecturer Dr Tim Lomas.

‘That means recognising different varieties of positive emotion, rather than just using generic terms such as “happiness” or “wellbeing”.’

It was to that end Dr Lomas created The Positive Lexicography Project – a compendium of words that succinctly capture nuanced emotions.

Understanding and reflecting upon them is, according to Dr Lomas, helpful in developing mindfulness – doubly important when you’re an overworked Londoner who goes through several thousand emotions just being on the tube at rush hour.

We combed through his intercontinental library of untranslatable emotions to find the feels most relevant to our discerning Balance readers. Consider your emotional vocabulary broadened.

1. Eleutheromania

Greek;noun – An intense, irrepressible desire for freedom. Felt during a stroll down Oxford Street by anyone who isn’t an Italian tourist.

2. Wohlweh

German; noun – Literally well-pain; pain that is pleasurable. Like when you’re a few minutes into Warrior One and the class is nearly over. No wohlweh, no gain.

20. Vorfreude

21. Shěnměi píláo

Chinese;noun – Aesthetically fatigued; exposure to so much beauty that one ceases to appreciate it.

22. Gluggaveður

Icelandic;noun – Literally ‘window weather.’ Weather that is pleasant to look at through a window, but unpleasant to be outside in (e.g. cold, windy). Even better when the snow blocks your way and you have to take the day off.

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